Prognosticating Pigskin Picks

Tony Bolick 

Record: 29-10 

“Well last week set the stage and my confidence was still not shaken this week. Not a lot I can do about embarrasing underwhelming performances and then 4th quarter strange calls and a porous  secondary. That said, it’s not a sprint and  I’m still here. But I should be out by like five  games over the rest of my ‘esteemed’ panel.” 

PROVIDENCE GROVE AT ASHEBORO — It’s a bitter-sweet visit of Coach Brown’s former stomping grounds to Lee J. Stone Stadium. But the Blue Comets have been competing thus far in 2024. I’m not seeing that change at home this week. AHS, 24-13
UNION PINES AT RANDLEMAN — I’ve got it. Here’s what you need to do in Carthage all week. Go out, Buy Buck Owens’ greatest hits and play “Tiger by the Tail” all week long and learn the lyrics. That’s about the most positive message for Friday night. Randleman, 36-14. 

SW RANDOLPH AT McMICHAEL — That’s a nice ride up the interstate to get to McMichael in the Eden area. It all depends on which team makes the trek up the mountain and shows up to play. Tight call, but  ... SWR, 28-23. 

LA TECH AT NO. 24 NC STATE — Saturday was a butt-whipping I think we all saw coming. But after West-ern’s embarrasing loss to Campbell at home, what does that say about the Pack? NC State, 23-20.
APPALACHIAN STATE AT EAST CAROLINA — This is always one of those games. It’s never whatever team is good. It’s which team goes out on the field and wants it more. Appalachian (NOT AppaLAYchian) State, 20-16.
CHARGERS AT PANTHERS — Week two, playing at home and we’re picking when we still don’t know just how good (or bad) they look early on. Chargers, 27-17. 

OTHER GAMES
West Davidson 30, Trinity 24
Bishop McGuinness 23, Wheatmore 12
Orange 21, Montgomery Central 18
Chatham Central 17, Jordan-Matthews 6
South Davidson 13, South Stanly 7
UNC 31, NC Central 14
Duke 27, Connecticutt 14
Notre Dame 31, Purdue 16
Western Carolina  27, Elon 17
Dolphins 30, Bills 20 
Giants 27, Commanders 10
Steelers 17, Broncos 14
Chiefs 34, Bengals 17
Eagles 33, Falcons 13

Dennis Garcia 

Record: 29-10 

“Some early-season observations: ER and RHS will be playing for the PAC title; AHS is going to make the state 3-A playoffs; SWR, THS and PG certainly have the talent to pull a surprise; WHS will get better; and I can never pick the winner of a Duke-Northwestern football game.”

PROVIDENCE GROVE AT ASHEBORO — This is one of those games they call a measuring stick for the Blue Comets. Can AHS defeat PG for the first time since 2016 (0-3)? AHS, 27-14.
UNION PINES AT RANDLEMAN —Union Pines has not given up a point in jumping out to a 3-0 record, outsourcing its opponents 122-0. However, they haven’t seen anyone like RHS. RHS, 28-14.
SW RANDOLPH AT McMICHAEL — The Cougars found their offense with 34 points in the second half of last week’s win after being shut out in Week 1. Let’s keep that fire going. SWR, 20-7.
LA TECH AT NO. 24 NC STATE — The Wolfpack will be looking for a big bounce back game. NC State, 30-17.
APPALACHIAN STATE AT EAST CAROLINA — Ray, you JUST MISSED getting last week’s ASU game correct! I’m with you on this one. ASU, 27-20. 

CHARGERS AT PANTHERS — There are going to be a few wins for the Panthers this year. Not this one. Chargers, 34-20. 

OTHER GAMES
Trinity 28, West Davidson 21
Bishop McGuinness 20, Wheatmore 13
Orange 20, Montgomery Central 14
Jordan-Mathews 7, Chatham Central 6
South Stanly 27, South Davidson 13
UNC 31, NC Central 14
Duke 30, Connecticut 21
Notre Dame 40, Purdue 21
Western Carolina 27, Elon 21
Dolphins 31, Bills 27
Commanders 24, Giants 21
Steelers 24, Broncos 20
Chiefs 30, Bengals 27
Eagles 35, Falcons 27

Megan Crotty 

Record: 28-11

“Well, it’s obvious I’m rusty. I definitely need to work my football-picking muscles more often. But, hey, at least I’m not last.”

PROVIDENCE GROVE AT ASHEBORO — The Blue Comets were off last week, while the Patriots lost a tough one to the Villains. And with the new rules at Lee J. Stone, maybe more cheeks in seats will inspire AHS. Asheboro, 21-17.
UNION PINES AT RANDLEMAN — UP has not allowed a point this season. Tigers will change that. Still ... . UP, 34-28.
SW RANDOLPH AT McMICHAEL — Cougars had a rest last week, which means fresh legs for a tough road game. SWR, 28-14.
LA TECH AT NO. 24 NC STATE — Wolfpack slipped on the mayo last week. I’m guessing they’ll rebound against the Bulldogs (after they clean off their cleats, that is). Wolfpack, 28-10.
APPALACHIAN STATE AT EAST CAROLINA — App State took a drubbing last week. ECU hasn’t lost. Hmmm. App State, 24-21.
CHARGERS AT PANTHERS — (Note: We had to pick this one before the Week 1 kickoff.) Coming off a hard-fought win/loss the Panthers look to rebound from/bulid on last week’s game. Panthers, 34-28. 

OTHER GAMES
West Davidson 28, Trinity 21

Bishop McGuinness 34, Wheatmore 10 

Montgomery Central 24, Orange 14

Jordan-Matthews 14, Chatham Central 7

South Stanly 7, South Davidson 3

UNC 34, NC Central 14

Duke 32, Connecticutt 10

Notre Dame 28, Purdue 24

Elon 21, Western Carolina 20

Bills 34, Dolphins 21

Giants 17, Commanders 7

Steelers 28, Broncos 14

Chiefs 29, Bengals 17

Eagles 42, Falcons 24

Ray Criscoe 

Record: 25-14 

“I deserve where I’m at after making the worst pick I’ve ever made (ASU beating Clemson, a 66-20 loss that wasn’t  that close) and  perhaps the second  worst (State over Tennessee, a 51-10  drubbing that doesn’t do the word ‘drubbing’  justice). If I had a picking license, it would be  suspended this week.” 

PROVIDENCE GROVE AT ASHEBORO — Not sure what the fallout will be from the new, mostly no standing or loitering rules at Lee J. Stone Stadium, but maybe more fans on the visitors side. Stereo fandom would be a plus for the players. Asheboro, 23-20.
UNION PINES AT RANDLEMAN — Not sure what to make of UP’s not giving up a point this year. I’ll have a better idea after this one. RHS, 26-14.
SW RANDOLPH AT McMICHAEL — I have a bad feeling about this one, but with my picking ability, that’s a good thing for the Cougars, so ... SWR, 24-17.
LA TECH AT NO. 24 NC STATE — The Wolfpack can’t look any worse. Right? Right? NCSU, 10-6 or 44-40. 

APPALACHIAN STATE AT EAST CAROLINA — ASU was on pace to lose 140-0 after trailing 35-0 (!) in the first quarter. So why am I picking them again? Because I’m an idiot. ASU, 31-30.
CHARGERS AT PANTHERS — The good news for Panther fans in this one is since the Chargers will be more run-heavy this year, the game should be over sooner and you can head back to your car and get home more quickly. Chargers, 27-13. 

OTHER GAMES
Trinity 27, West Davidson 23 (let’s ride the wave) 

Bishop McGuinness 20, Wheatmore 13 

Montgomery Central 14, Orange 13 (fingers crossed) 

Jordan-Matthews 14, Chatham Central 13 

South Stanly 16, South Davidson 13

UNC 34, NC Central 13

Duke 27, Connecticutt 23

Notre Dame 26, Purdue 20

Western Carolina 24, Elon 23

Dolphins 24, Bills 20

Commanders 30, Giants 16

Steelers 24, Broncos 23

Chiefs 34, Bengals 30

Falcons 31, Eagles 30